Theater named for composer Sondheim

NEW YORK, March 23 (UPI) -- James Lapine and John Weidman have announced a New York theater is being named for their longtime collaborator, composer Stephen Sondheim.

Henry Miller's Theatre in Manhattan will now be known as the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

The name change in honor of Sondheim's 80th birthday was announced Monday night at the Roundabout Theatre Company's gala performance of the new Broadway musical "Sondheim on Sondheim."

"Stephen Sondheim is, quite simply, an artistic genius," Roundabout Artistic Director Todd Haimes said in a statement Tuesday.

"Perhaps no writer of musical theater has had a greater influence on his chosen art form. We are so proud that Roundabout has had the privilege of being a theatrical home to some of Steve's greatest works, including 'Company,' 'Follies,' 'Assassins,' 'Pacific Overtures,' 'Sunday in the Park with George' and the concert performance of 'A Little Night Music.' It's thrilling to see one of the greatest artists of our time be able to join the other legendary theater artists who have had Broadway theaters named after them, like Ethel Barrymore, David Belasco, Edwin Booth, George Broadhurst, George Gershwin, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, Richard Rodgers, Helen Hayes, Eugene O'Neill, Neil Simon and August Wilson. In so many ways, Steve's work has already made him a part of their illustrious tradition, so it is only fitting that we can now pay proper tribute to a composer and lyricist of extraordinary stature, Stephen Sondheim."